HOUSTON (NOV. XX, 2006) – The Houston Polo Club, Texas’ oldest polo club, will conclude Houston’s fall polo season with “Divas, Designers & Divots,” and the 12^th Annual Ladies Polo Invitational.

“Divas, Designers & Divots” takes place at Tootsies at 4045 Westheimer from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8. At the event, guests will enjoy cocktails, canapés and a live auction of the polo teams. Tootsies will donate a portion of proceeds from the moneys raised in merchandise sales and the team auction to benefit the Children’s Assessment Center, which provides aid to sexually abused children and their families in Harris County.

The following Sunday will be the ever-popular, all-ladies tournament with the Zsweet Texas Tailgate and Wine Festival. Sponsored by Zsweet, a zero-calorie natural sugar alternative, the tailgate will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, November 12. During the tailgate, polo fans can set up their own food station on a first come, first serve basis. Prizes will be awarded for the most creative and tastiest tailgates. Award-winning wines of Texas Open Vintners and delicious desserts from Zsweet will be served during the tailgate to compliment the foods.

The Invitational League Finals will commence at 1 p.m. An equestrian exhibition and vintner award presentation will take place at 2 p.m. The Women’s Championship Tournament Qualifier League Finals Match will take place at 2:30 p.m., and an awards ceremony will wrap up the match at 4 p.m.

The match will feature female polo players from the United States, France, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The teams include well-known players such as Caroline Anier, Kristi Outhier, Lesley Masterson Fong Yee and Sherri-Lyn Hensman. Also taking to the field is the highest ranked female player and last year’s Most Valuable Female Player, Sunny Hale.

“The polo club is excited to host such a lively, crowd-pleasing event as the ladies tournament,” said Daren Livingston, general manager of the Houston Polo Club. “Many people will be surprised to see the athleticism and competition between the females on the field.”

The event sponsor of the ladies tournament is Zsweet. The Official MVP sponsor is Catena USA. Team sponsors include L.A. Waters Quarter Horses, Sirius Solutions, Lockton, Pegasus Polo, Tootsies, Western Airways, Leyendecker & Associates and Events of Houston. The Official Supplier is La Martina

Match tickets for non-members of the polo club are $25 in advance and $35 at the gate. For more information, please call 713-622-7300 or visit www.thehoustonpoloclub.com.

Houston’s original sports franchise since 1928, the Houston Polo Club is the top-ranked polo club in the southwest U.S. Over its 78-year history, the club has grown in international acclaim, and today it ranks as among the top five best clubs in the U.S. Additionally, it is home to Isla Carroll, one of the top polo teams in the country.Underwriting sponsors of the 78th Polo Season are Capital One and Stanford Private Wealth Management. Presenting sponsors include Air France, Bombardier, Cowboys & Indians Magazine, David Yurman, Lockton, PaperCity Magazine and Sotheby’s. Official sponsors are Active Imagination, 17 Restaurant, Cartier, Catena USA, Gittings, Hotel Derek, Neiman Marcus, The Palm and San Pelligrino.

The Houston Polo Club is located in the heart of Houston at 8552 Memorial Drive (at Loop 610), just minutes from The Galleria. The gate opens one hour before match time. Tickets range from $25 to $150. Children under 12 are admitted free. Tickets are available online at www.thehoustonpoloclub.com or at the gate.

To receive a complete schedule of events and for ticket information, please call Houston Polo at (713) 622-7300 or visit www.thehoustonpoloclub.com.